Neurotoxicity of Commonly Used Antineoplastic Agents

Abstract

Nitrogen Mustard (NSC-762)Nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) is the prototype of the "alkylating agent" class of Cytotoxic drugs. Favorable therapeutic effects from nitrogen mustard are common in Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas and some solid tumors. The major toxicities of nitrogen mustard are bone-marrow suppression and gastrointestinal disturbances.There have been no reports of serious or life-threatening neurologic toxicity due to intravenous nitrogen mustard when conventional doses were used, except for a recent case presented by Bethlenfalvay and Bergin.⁸⁵ They described a patient with Hodgkin's disease in whom chills, fever, hemiplegia, and coma developed within one week after each of two . . .